Box Score DEMOREST, Georgia -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team saw its two-game conference winning streak halted Wednesday with a hard-fought 76-71 USA South Athletic Conference loss to visiting LaGrange College.  In a back-and-forth affair, the Lady Panthers were able to seal the win by virtue of a late second half run in which the they held PC to just five points over an eight minute span.

In a game that featured six lead changes and six ties it was Piedmont that used an 8-2 run punctuated by a layup by freshman MARY KATE RUSHTON that gave the Lady Lions an eight-point lead (24-16) midway through the first half.  LaGrange would use a late flurry highlighted by a three-pointer by Heather Miller to take a slim 33-32 lead into half. 

Both teams would heat up offensively in the second half and as they would combine for 82 second half points.  With Piedmont leading 56-48 with just 10:09 remaining, the Lady Panthers would use a 20-5 run to take control of the contest with under three minutes remaining. 

Second chance opportunities would be the difference as LaGrange was able to secure 29 offensive rebounds as the Lady Panthers held a 53-41 advantage on the glass.  LC's final run included a pair of made threes and four offensive rebounds.

Both teams would end the game with seven threes, but it was LC that was able to cash in from the free throw line making 15-19 attempts compared to Piedmont's 4-6. 

Piedmont placed four players in double-figures led by LAUREN ANDERSON's team-highs of 14 points and seven rebounds.  ALYSSA JONES and Kiki Thompson each added 13 points while TAYLOR SWOSZOWSKI added 11 points and four steals.  Seniors Jones and Anderson have reached double-figures in scoring in four out of their last four games for the Lady Lions. 

Miller was the game's leading scorer with 21 points to go along with nine steals.  Katie Covington added 12 points and seven rebounds while Lauren Pounds came off the bench to net 12 points and five rebounds in reserve action.

The Lady Lions (6-7, 2-5 USA South) will wrap up the seven-game USA South home stand with a pair of games this weekend hosting Mary Baldwin College on Saturday and Averett University on Sunday.  Both games are scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 PM in Cave Arena.